GCC employers looking for local and long-serving talent

Business leaders in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are looking to forge lasting relationships with employees as the region moves forward in establishing a global presence, according to a survey by Human Resources consulting firm, Mercer.

Larisa Muravska , Mercer’s Human Capital head for GCC, was quoted in the Khaleej Times as saying employers are also searching closer to home for talent as member countries seek to forge institutional partnerships to help produce a steady stream of professionals.

“There is a clear preference for local and long-term over transient and short-term candidates, and businesses are willing to invest heavily in key roles to build their future from within the firm,” Muravska said.

Mercer’s surveyed a host of employers responsible for more than 70,000 employees in the telecommunications, resources, consumer goods, pharmaceutical, education, health and government sectors.

Muravska was reported to have said that businesses in the region are undergoing a change in corporate culture in terms of talent farming. They want to be safe in the knowledge that talent is being developed locally, especially in key roles, through a systematic system involving educators, employers and governments.

However, she said when it comes to jobs farther down the corporate ladder, traditional sourcing is likely to continue.

Respondents to Mercer’s survey reportedly urged governments to play an active role in producing talent for the workforce while education institutes need to build on their good work by offering structured job-placement programmes.

“More and more, firms are asking us to help them better understand how to make effective use of their workforce, both in terms of today’s business needs but also in the sort of workforce businesses will need in the future,” Muravska was quoted as saying.

Business leaders in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are looking to forge lasting relationships with employees as the region moves forward in establishing a global presence, according to a survey by Human Resources consulting firm, Mercer.

Larisa Muravska , Mercer’s Human Capital head for GCC, was quoted in the Khaleej Times as saying employers are also searching closer to home for talent as member countries seek to forge institutional partnerships to help produce a steady stream of professionals.

“There is a clear preference for local and long-term over transient and short-term candidates, and businesses are willing to invest heavily in key roles to build their future from within the firm,” Muravska said.

Mercer’s surveyed a host of employers responsible for more than 70,000 employees in the telecommunications, resources, consumer goods, pharmaceutical, education, health and government sectors.

Muravska was reported to have said that businesses in the region are undergoing a change in corporate culture in terms of talent farming. They want to be safe in the knowledge that talent is being developed locally, especially in key roles, through a systematic system involving educators, employers and governments.

However, she said when it comes to jobs farther down the corporate ladder, traditional sourcing is likely to continue.

Respondents to Mercer’s survey reportedly urged governments to play an active role in producing talent for the workforce while education institutes need to build on their good work by offering structured job-placement programmes.

“More and more, firms are asking us to help them better understand how to make effective use of their workforce, both in terms of today’s business needs but also in the sort of workforce businesses will need in the future,” Muravska was quoted as saying.